During the fall of 2012, skeletal remains were discovered on forest land adjacent to Niagara Heights Rd. east of Gates, OR. Investigators have determined that the remains were those of Maribel Gutierrez-Salinas.

Information indicates that Maribel Gutierrez-Salinas disappeared in February 2011. Before her disappearance, she was residing in Tualatin, OR with her husband, Gustavo Villanueva. Maribel was employed at the Agave Grill in the Bridgeport Plaza, Tigard, OR. Following her disappearance, in April 2011, Gustavo Villanueva returned to Mexico.

A Marion County Grand Jury indicted Gustavo Villanueva for the death of Maribel and he was arrested in Laredo, TX on August 26, 2013.

Cold case detectives are seeking information that could identify friends and associates of Maribel and Gustavo. Information is also sought from anyone who may have seen Gustavo traveling in the Santiam Canyon area in a Toyota Corolla. If you have information on this case, tips can be sent to the Cold Case Squad by clicking this link.